Field evaluation of an expertise‐based formal decision system for fungicide management of grapevine downy and powdery mildews

Abstract

The design of Mildium results from the formalisation of a common management of both powdery and downy mildews and eventually leads to a significant fungicide reduction at the plot scale. It could encourage stakeholders to design customised farm-scale and low-chemical-input decision support methods.

The impact of restrictions on neonicotinoid and fipronil insecticides on pest management in maize, oilseed rape and sunflower in eight European Union regions

“…To quantify soil and foliar applications in a single number, we calculated a treatment frequency index (TFI). The TFI has been used in similar contexts to quantify the intensity of pesticide use and is defined as the total number of (in our case insecticide) active substances applied per hectare during a growing season . For example, two applications of cypermethrin and one application of lambda‐cyhalothrin would translate into a TFI of 3.…”

Evaluation of a decision support strategy for the control of powdery mildew, Erysiphe necator (Schw.) Burr., in grapevine in the central region of Chile

“…We can conclude that the DSS is robust because it allows for successful control of powdery mildew with a reduced number of treatments for irrigated vineyards and ungrafted vinestocks under conditions that are very different from those under which it was developed and applied in France, as reported by Delière et al . The climatic conditions were hot and dry during the day and cool at night during the spring, with the high level of UVB radiation that is characteristic of the region, and did not seem to counteract the development of the disease .…”

“…In this context, a novel decision support strategy (DSS) called Mildium ® was proposed by plant pathologists during the last decade to rationalise fungicide application against powdery and downy mildew in grapevines . This novel DSS is based on a new organisation of information‐gathering and decision‐making over time, and it translates the available epidemiological and expert knowledge into easily understandable rules for phytosanitary practitioners . In general, the DSS is triggered by the following indicators: (i) epidemiological risk–climate models; (ii) observations of an attack in the vineyard; (iii) plant phenology; (iv) fungicide characteristics (e.g.…”

“…Such a DSS was tested on a grapevine network of 83 plots in France during several consecutive seasons, which resulted in a decrease in spraying of 30–50% compared with traditional applications made by winegrowers in different growing regions, without increased damage to the grapes …”

“…31,32 This novel DSS is based on a new organisation of information-gathering and decision-making over time, and it translates the available epidemiological and expert knowledge into easily understandable rules for phytosanitary practitioners. 33 In general, the DSS is triggered by the following indicators: (i) epidemiological risk-climate models; (ii) observations of an attack in the vineyard; (iii) plant phenology; (iv) fungicide characteristics (e.g. the mode of action and the residual effect).…”